Page 31 of The Cowboy Who Looked Again

“See you in a sec.” Misty ended the call and heaved open the big, heavy doors. She took the extra few seconds to make sure they came all the way closed behind her, or she’d lose her head—and her job. Then she jogged down the thirty-four steps that led to the sidewalk.

She arrived about the time Link pulled up in his big truck, and she didn’t even give him a second to swing down. Instead, Misty pulled on the door handle and catapulted herself into the passenger seat. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” He grinned at her and twisted to reach into the backseat. Plenty of reusable grocery bags sat there, and yes, several insulated ones as well. “You sure look nice today.”

Link grinned as he presented her with what looked like an ice cream sandwich. But it wasn’t cold, and it was bright yellow.

“Lemon whoopie pie,” he said. “With cream cheese frosting.”

“You’re joking.”

“I saw them at the store and thought you might like one.”

“Have you had them before?”

He shook his head as she pulled the flap back on the clear plastic wrapper. She adored everything lemon, even going so far as to put the crystallized lemon packets in her water bottle throughout the day. At this point, she wasn’t even sure how people drank regular, unflavored water.

The scent of lemon hit her nose, and she grinned. “Mm, smells good.”

“Off to a good start then,” he said.

She glanced over to him, found him smiling warmly, and returned her attention to the treat he’d brought her. “What kind did you get?”

“Peanut butter chocolate,” he said.

Misty took a bite of the lemon cream cheese whoopie pie, the delicious tartness combining with the sweet and creamy frosting. “Mm, yes,” she said around the treat.

“I don’t get it, but I’m glad you like it.”

She met his eye, and so much energy zipped around the truck. “It’s good. It’s lemon.”

“Desserts should not be made with sour citrus,” he said.

She laughed, because he loved everything chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter. Chocolate and mint. Chocolate and coffee. But throw an orange in with some vanilla ice cream to make a creamsicle, and Link thought a crime had been committed.

“I love this,” she said. “Thank you, Link.”

“You bet,” he said. “I do have to get the food back up to my momma. There’s a bonfire and picnic dinner at the firepit tonight. I’m sure Uncle Ward will send out a text.”

“We’re invited?”

“Everyone on the ranch is invited, yes,” he said.

“But it’s not a date.” She took another bite of the whoopie pie and let her eyebrows go up.

“No,” he said. “Our first date is tomorrow night, so stop snooping to find out what we’re doing. It’s going to be great. You’ll love it.”

She swallowed her treat and said, “I’m sure I will, Link.”

“Now go on,” he said, extending another whoopie pie toward her. This one actually looked gray, and Misty stared at it. “It’s cookies ‘n cream. For Janie.”

Misty took the treat from him and then gazed at him. “You’re so good,” she said, no trace of teasing in sight. She didn’t deserve someone as good and kind and thoughtful as Link. Did she?

“If you want that mint chocolate chip, I know where I’ll be about eight-thirty tonight.” He gave her a nod toward the door. “I’ve gotta get going, sweetheart.”

“Right.” She reached for the door handle and spilled from his truck, her hands full of whoopie pies. “See you tonight.”

“Can’t wait,” he said, and Misty slammed the door and stood on the sidewalk as Link drove away.

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